Manchester Film Festival: Everything you need to know

BBC News

14-03-2025

Manchester Film Festival is described as an annual celebration of storytelling through cinema and about 8,000 people are expected to attend.It started out in 2015 and is billed as the city's biggest celebration of the best new and independent films.More than 150 films will be screened at the north of England's largest film festival with highlights including HILL, a documentary about Formula 1 champion Damon Hill followed by a Q&A session with the racing legend. Here is everything else you need to know about the event.
What is it?
It is a celebration of independent cinema featuring films from renowned directors and actors to lowbudget world premieres from filmmakers just starting out in the industry.The festival is both a BAFTA qualifying festival for British short films and BIFA qualifying for shorts and features.It will bring filmmakers and film lovers together to showcase 45 feature films, including 15 UK premieres and four world premieres, Q&A sessions as well as putting the spotlight on some of the best up and coming filmmakers from the north-west of England.
When is it and where?
The festival takes place from 14-23 March.It is being held at venues in Manchester city centre. The majority of the events are held at the Odeon Great Northern but the festival opens at the Aviva Studios, with the UK's first public screening of The Penguin Lessons, directed by British filmmaker Peter Cattaneo and starring Steve Coogan.There are also events being staged at HOME for the first time.
Why was it set up?
Festival director Neil Jeram Croft founded it 10 years ago after he produced and starred in his own film and said more could be done to help those starting out in the industry.He said there was a "gap" in the market and there was no film festival in Manchester so he decided to set his own up."I wanted to make it a great experience for other filmmakers setting out and make them feel special," the 44-year-old said.He said it had "grown massively" in the last decade and focused heavily on audiences as well as filmmakers now.
What are some of the highlights?
The Penguin Lessons, based on the best-selling memoir and starring Steve Coogan., tells the poignant and inspiring story of an Englishman's personal and political awakening during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history, brought about by his unlikely adoption of a penguin.HILL, a documentary on how Damon Hill defied the odds and overcame tragedy to step out of his father's shadow and become a Formula 1 racing legend in his own right. It is directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Alex Holmes. A world premiere of Departures. In the aftermath of a toxic relationship, Benji is trapped in a spiral of addiction and fleeting hook-ups. As he stumbles through visiting the places he visited with his ex, he is forced to confront his past.Phase - a coming of age Sci-Fi directed by Jessica Vogt.A film by Burnley-born Jack Hartley, a Peaky Blinders star turned director, Humble Pie, shot in Audenshaw, is also being shown.
Do I need tickets?
Yes, you need to buy tickets or passes for the events. A full programme of events and ticket information can be found on the Manchester Film Festival website.
Is it family-friendly?
Most of the films are rated as 15 or 18 with age certifications for each film included in the listings on the festival's website.
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